Nancy Pelosi: Chief of staff will now be Nadeam Elshami

Nancy Pelosi is having something of a regime change. Nadeam Elshami is the new Pelosi chief of staff, while John Lawrence, who held that position for eight years, has announced he's stepping down.

"On behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank John Lawrence for his 38 years of service to the House of Representatives," Pelosi says in a statement. "Few staff members have ever had the impact that John has had on so many laws that have been enacted in his years in my office as speaker and as democratic leader, and with Chairman George Miller. I wish John and Deborah well and will always value their friendship."

Elshami had been acting as Pelosi's communications director, but will take over as the House Minority Leader's chief of staff on Feb. 1. During his 21-year career, Elshami worked in both the House of Representatives and the Senate and under government officials like Senator Dick Durbin and congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

"For the past six years, Nadeam has been a key communications strategist, spokesperson, and senior adviser," Pelosi says. "I know my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus will benefit from his leadership as he transitions to chief of staff."

Some other changes that are being made include George Kundanis having an expanded role for legislative and member responsibilities, Diane Dwehirst being named deputy chief of staff and Drew Hammill replacing Elshami as communications director and senior adviser.

That's not the only big news Pelosi has coming up at the end of the month. She's also going to appear in the series finale of "30 Rock."